In a move dripping with symbolism and stirring fresh waves of controversy, Donald Trump has replaced Barack Obama’s portrait in the White House with a striking painting of himself moments after surviving an assassination attempt—a bold gesture that blurs the lines between legacy and personal myth-making.
On Friday, the 78-year-old Republican and presumptive 2024 nominee ordered the portrait of Obama, the first Black president of the United States, moved just a few feet away from its central position near the grand stairwell in the White House’s main entrance hallway. In its place now hangs a dramatic rendering of Trump, fist raised, bloodied from a July 2024 shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania, defiantly yelling “Fight!” after surviving an attempted assassination.
The painting, which closely resembles a photo taken by the Associated Press during the harrowing moment, was unveiled without fanfare but quickly ignited a media firestorm. The White House simply posted, “Some new artwork at the White House,” on X, alongside a video of visitors walking past the new portrait.
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung confirmed that Obama’s portrait wasn’t removed entirely, just relocated. However, he also stirred the pot by responding to critics with, “Pipe down, moron,” in a now-viral exchange online.
A Portrait of Power or Provocation?
The painting’s placement is highly unorthodox, as White House tradition typically reserves the entrance hallway for portraits of recent presidents, with new additions made only after a president leaves office. Obama’s portrait was unveiled in 2022 by President Joe Biden, showing the 44th president in a stately black suit against a white background.
But Trump, known for flouting presidential norms, has again rewritten protocol. The decision is not only a nod to his ongoing feud with Obama, but also a calculated political message in a charged election year.
A Decade-Long Rivalry Reignited
Trump’s contentious relationship with Obama is no secret. He catapulted himself into political relevance by promoting the racist and debunked “birther” conspiracy, falsely claiming that Obama was not born in the United States. Obama, in turn, publicly mocked Trump during a now-famous roast at the 2011 White House Correspondents’ Dinner, a moment some say sparked Trump’s drive to win the presidency.
This latest move is viewed by many as a not-so-subtle act of symbolic dominance—replacing the image of his long-time rival with one that immortalizes his own resilience and near-martyrdom.
Trump’s Taste for Self-Tribute
The painting joins a growing collection of Trump-centric memorabilia displayed in official and private residences. Outside the Oval Office hangs a gold-framed print of his own mugshot, taken during legal proceedings over alleged interference in the 2020 election. At Mar-a-Lago, a large bronze sculpture of his Butler shooting response commands attention.
